TO BE an avid away fan of any football club takes incredible loyalty and commitment.

Thankfully this season, Swindon’s loyal band of travelling fans have been rewarded with the best results of the season so far.

But it also had its downsides, as demonstrated last Saturday as referee David Webb called off the clash with Accrington Stanley just two hours before kick-off.

Leaving such an important decision so late in the day was ridiculous, in my opinion, especially when the visiting team and supporters had such a long journey of around 200 miles there and back.

It was good to see Town acknowledge those 281 fans who made the seven-hour round trip in a statement on Monday.

But it would’ve been a welcome move for them to make a goodwill gesture, for example making their matchday ticket from last Saturday a voucher for the club shop, worth say 20 per cent over the Christmas period.

A small but important gesture.

Tomorrow sees the return of Friday night football to the County Ground as 10th-placed Colchester United are the visitors in what is sure to be a close encounter between the sides.

Both are in a group of five clubs who all sit on 32 points, the only difference being Swindon have a game in hand on the other four.

The U’s visit Wiltshire in good form, losing just once in their past eight games in the league.

It’s difficult to say if last Saturday’s postponement will prove to be a good or a bad thing for the Swindon squad.

The rest could’ve done them good, but it’s not ideal in another sense as you lose some match sharpness.

Hopefully the rest will prove to be an advantage and David Flitcroft’s team will come flying out of the blocks, taking the game to their opponents from the first minute, not sit back welcoming any unwanted pressure.

If Town can take hold of the game in midfield and boss the visiting U’s, there’s no reason why, with our talent up front, we can’t finish with all the points tomorrow night.